Ambassador Reno Omokri has criticised Afrobeats superstar Davido over his decision to spotlight the plight of abducted schoolchildren and teachers from Oyo State during his appearance at the FIFA World Cup Countdown Concert in Los Angeles.
During the event held on June 10, 2026, Davido took to the stage at the Crypto.com Arena dressed in a specially designed black jacket bearing the names of 39 kidnapped schoolchildren and seven teachers from the Ahoro-Esinle and Yawota communities.
Emblazoned across the back of the jacket was the message “Bring Them Home.” He paired the outfit with a white shirt featuring the word “Nigeria” prominently displayed.
The singer’s action was widely interpreted as an expression of support for the victims and their loved ones amid ongoing fears surrounding their welfare and safe return.
By using one of the world’s biggest entertainment platforms to highlight their situation, Davido succeeded in drawing global attention to the abductions while reinforcing calls for urgent action to secure the victims’ release.
The Countdown Concert serves as one of the major events leading up to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which is scheduled to take place across the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
In an extensive broadcast, Omokri cautioned against the kind of international exposure generated by Davido’s gesture, arguing that it could ultimately play into the hands of the kidnappers.
“Publicity helps terrorists. It does not pressure them. They treasure it! It is a very big mistake to think that publicity, or global outrage, pressures terrorists. Quite the contrary. They relish it! They thrive on it. The late British Prime Minister, Baroness Thatcher, put it best when she said, ‘Publicity is the oxygen of terrorism.”
While acknowledging what he described as Davido’s good intentions, Omokri maintained that the singer’s actions could have unintended consequences by benefiting the abductors rather than aiding rescue efforts.
“Davido means well, but doing what he did actually helps the terrorists who took those children more than it aids the rescue of the kids and their teachers. Terrorists want publicity. That is how they spread terror.”
Referencing his involvement during the #BringBackOurGirls movement, Omokri reflected on how widespread international attention allegedly increased the bargaining value of the Chibok schoolgirls for Boko Haram, making efforts to recover them more challenging.
He also pointed to his attempts to advocate for Leah Sharibu’s freedom, noting that security professionals later informed him that the publicity surrounding her case had unintentionally elevated her profile and complicated attempts to secure her release.
According to Omokri, Nigerian authorities are already making determined efforts to recover the abducted children and teachers from Oyo State.
He highlighted recent successes recorded by security agencies as evidence that rescue operations remain active and ongoing.
He ultimately argued that large-scale public campaigns and international attention only serve to reinforce the objectives of terrorist groups.
“What this situation requires is not publicity, especially on a global stage. That is what the terrorists want.”
See the post below
Publicity Helps Terrorists. It Does Not Pressure Them. They Treasure it!
It is a very big mistake to think that publicity, or global outrage, pressures terrorists. Quite the contrary. They relish it! They thrive on it. The late British Prime Minister, Baroness Thatcher, put it… pic.twitter.com/Zq92z2K65d
— Reno Omokri (@renoomokri) June 11, 2026
Here are some of the reactions from netizens:
rvdxo_official said: “Reno and sense are fighting 🤷🏾♂️.”
sir_itua said: “If na your papa be this man and Deeone ehhhh 😢😢 it is well o.”
biguncleradio said: “There’s a way you’ll even be arrested for knowing too much about how bandits operate.”
Princess_starrrrrrrrrr said: “Davido did the right thing by letting the world know what’s happening in Nigeria. Innocent children have been in the bush for weeks now.”
lily__inno said: “He knows the character of bandits?? Is he their patron?.”
nelly9ice said: “Stop going through the corners. This is how you should have said it: “Davido, please don expose the incompetence of the government to the whole again.”
